Understand All 25 Components of Your Job Offer Benefits Package

Benefits are not just for the twilight of your career. While we typically think of benefits as basic insurance coverage, a good benefits plan can include many additional perks that offer true tangible gains in relation to the competition. Following are the 24 most common elements of benefit plans and what you should look for in each element:

General CoverageFind out if there are any monthly or per-pay-period costs for the overall benefits plan (which will make an immediate and tangible dent in your take-home pay), and, if so, whether it is a pre-tax or post-tax deduction, who is covered (does it only cover you or does it also cover other family members and future family members), when each component of the benefit actually begins (some will begin the first day of work, some after thirty days, and some after one year of employment), and whether any of the benefits are taxable (life insurance is an example of a benefit that you may end up paying taxes on at the end of the year). If the benefits are provided cafeteria-style (where you can pick and choose which you will enroll in), find out if you are able to add benefits at a later date and, if so, what restrictions would be involved.

Medical InsuranceConsider the type of plan (Preferred Provider Option, Health Maintenance Organization, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, etc.), what expenses are covered (HMOs will often pay for preventive care expenses that others will not, etc.), deductibles (annual deductibles, per-office-visit deductibles, etc.), co-pays (percentage the insurance pays versus the percentage you will pay), and whether or not the plan has open or closed enrollment (including medical exams or other evaluations which may be necessary for enrollment in the plan).

Vision/Eye Care InsuranceA great benefit if you need it. A great benefit even if you don't currently need it (since most will need it eventually). Evaluate what expenses are covered, what the deductibles are, and what the annual limits and lifetime maximums are. Many companies now offer an "up to" amount of annual coverage which can include exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and even disposable lenses.

Life InsuranceAlthough you are likely not planning your funeral arrangements yet, this benefit will become increasingly important as you add loved ones to your life. In the meantime, it may cover the basic expenses in the event of unexpected tragedy. Some companies will also allow you to purchase additional blocks of term insurance, although often at or above the going market rate. It is usually better to purchase additional insurance separately, but evaluate the costs—especially if the rates offered will remain stable for the duration of your employment.

Accidental Death InsuranceAs if it somehow matters how you die, some companies pay a greater amount if your death is of a more spectacular nature. If they offer it for free, take it. But don't buy additional insurance of this type.

Business Travel InsuranceAnother variation on the accident insurance theme. Companies sometimes provide their employees with insurance to cover accidental death or dismemberment while traveling on business. Again, if they offer it for free, take it.

Disability InsuranceOne of those benefits you will never ever care about until you need it. Disability insurance is usually divided into short-term disability (which can sometimes include an allocation for sick pay and usually includes initial disability coverage from 90 days to a year) and long-term disability (which usually kicks in after 90 days to a year). Note the percentage amount of salary paid, how that percentage may change over time, and what that percentage is based on. Also note how any variable pay components may be covered.

VacationConsider how many vacation days are allowed in your first year, when they begin accumulating, when they may be used (can days be taken before they are earned?), how many days are allowed in future years, and the maximum number of days. The standard vacation policy may start with one to two weeks per year (prorated from the hire date), then additional days or weeks based on years of service. Some companies, however, do not provide any vacation during the first year. Note also whether vacation days accumulate according to the calendar year or work year (based on your date of hire). As an additional negotiating point, if you already have scheduled time off in your first year which will not be fully accommodated by the vacation plan, ask if you are able to take time off not paid to cover the additional days.

HolidaysThere are six standard holidays that nearly every U.S. company covers (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). In addition, many cover the day after Thanksgiving, an additional day at Christmas, and some cover additional days such as Presidents' Day and Martin Luther King Day. And then there is the U.S. government, which is a member of the Holiday-of-the-Month Club. Many companies will offer six or more "set" holidays plus one or more "floating" holidays that can be used at the employee's discretion. In this case, these floating holidays usually end up being treated much the same as vacation days. If the company offers floating holidays and you are starting midyear, note how many will be offered to you during the first year.

Sick/Personal DaysWhile many companies have moved away from having a designated number of sick days for salaried staff (which encourages the more slack employees to take them in spite of lack of actual illness, since they are already enumerated), some companies still provide for a certain number of personal days. Depending on the restrictions, these may be treated as pseudo-vacation days. But remember that when you take time off work to visit your sick Aunt Martha in Idaho, it will likely be applied against this time allocation and may not be available to you when you really are sick. So the next logical question is what happens if you exceed the allocation of sick days? In many companies, it shifts over to short-term disability coverage.

401(k) PlansYour company's 401(k) plan can help you begin building a tax-deferred retirement nest egg early (start now and you will truly be able to enjoy your retirement). Consider the percentage or dollar amount of company matching (if any) along with any defined maximum amount for either matching contributions and/or employee contributions. Also check the amount of time it takes to vest the company matching portion and whether there is any partial vesting during the interim.

Pension PlansThe ultimate yawner benefit for twenty-somethings, these can and will make a difference to you later in life. Usually the company puts an amount into an account that silently accumulates for you over time. An excellent benefit that most companies are either cutting back or replacing with 401(k) plans.

Profit SharingProfit sharing can be an outstanding benefit, assuming the company is profitable and expected to continue in the black. However, the amount of profit sharing provided is often at the discretion of executive management and may be stated as an "up to" amount or percentage. If it is unclear what that amount is, ask what the company has paid, historically, for the last three years to individuals in a position similar to the one you are being offered. Downplay any promises that it will likely be greater in the coming years. Even when you are dealing with historical figures, do not plan to spend the money until you have the check in hand. Anything can and will happen with the profit-sharing wild card, even in the most conservative companies.

Stock Options/Restricted Shares/ESOPsAlthough it is unlikely that you will receive stock options or restricted shares (which are usually reserved for executive management), another similar stock instrument you may have access to would be an ESOP, or Employee Stock Ownership Plan, a/k/a ESPP, or Employee Stock Purchase Plan. While these plans are different from true stock options (since you have to buy the stock at regular intervals at the prevailing market price), it gives the advantage of buying company stock at a discount from market value. Although the discount varies, it is usually in the 10 to 15 percent range, which means you make an immediate 11 to 17 percent profit (since you are buying at a discount). The stock purchase is often free of broker commissions or fees. Some companies will allow you to sell the stock commission-free through their designated investment banking firm. Many will also allow you to reinvest your dividends commission-free to buy more stock. It is an excellent benefit and you should immediately sign up for the maximum allowable (usually 5 to 10 percent of your base salary). You should, however, be careful to periodically balance your overall investment portfolio to reduce your risk and exposure to any company, including your own. You can usually sell ESOP/ESPP shares either immediately or after a set period of time if you are seeking to diversify.

Tuition ReimbursementAn especially important perk if you plan to pursue an advanced degree during your evening and/or weekend hours. Consider what types of coursework are covered, the tax impact of the benefit (usually the IRS will consider the benefit tax free only if you are studying within your current field), how the benefit is paid (some companies pay 100 percent for an "A," 75 percent for a "B," etc.), and the yearly maximum.

Health ClubsAs part of the trend toward taking care of all of your worldly existential needs, some companies now offer free or reduced-rate memberships in health clubs. Some larger companies even offer on-site facilities so that you can work out in the morning, at lunch, or after work without having to leave the company location. It is a nice perk, depending on whether the facilities meet your personal needs.

Dependent CareAs companies adjust to the work force of this decade and beyond, they are examining the role of providing dependent care for their employees. This can include providing on-site child care facilities or allocating specified amounts for child care and elder care. Some companies, while not paying directly for these costs, will offer programs for allocating funds for these expenses from pre-tax funds. Although this benefit may not mean much to you now, probably one of the very best benefits to have is the ability to drop off your kid(s) next door to work in the morning, have lunch with them, and take them home with you in the evening.

Maternity/Paternity LeaveWhile you and/or your significant other may not be pregnant nor even planning for that possibility at this time, this ends up being a great perk if/when needed in the future. It usually includes a paid component and an unpaid component. Most common for women is 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid. For men, while typically not offered, some employers are now beginning to incorporate paternity leave of anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.

Employee Assistance ProgramsSome companies have a formal program designed to aid employees in need of assistance. While this can sometimes be for mainstream needs (such as financial planning and tax assistance), it can also include drug/alcohol counseling and other types of crisis support. Just one more way to let you know that you are not on your own when you are in need of help.

Overtime/Travel Premiums/Comp TimeWhile salaried employees are usually not paid overtime, some companies will compensate for time above and beyond an expected standard (usually forty hours per week). This can take the form of overtime or bonus pay, a premium above and beyond standard pay for hours worked at out-of-town locations, and/or comp time (which converts extra hours worked into extra time off). That said, most companies do not offer overtime pay and it is expected that employees will put in beyond 40 hours per week, often many more. Know the expectation level before you commit.

Parking ReimbursementThis often overlooked perk can amount to a great deal over time, especially if you will be working in one of the high-cost parking (and living) cities such as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. This $50-$100/month tax-free benefit can easily amount to $1000-$2000/year in salary equivalence.

Commuting Cost ReimbursementFew companies will pay you for the actual commuting in your car to and from the office. However, some companies in high traffic/smog congestion areas will provide company van service, a car pooling allowance, or public transportation allocations and/or monthly passes to encourage their employees to use environmentally friendly means of transportation.

Expense ReimbursementAlmost all companies will pay you for authorized direct business-related costs that you incur. However, how that cost is calculated often differs, with you picking up the difference. For example, using your car for business travel (above and beyond your standard commute) might be covered at anywhere from eight cents to 54+ cents per mile. That ends up being quite a difference if you are racking up the miles. Also, items such as business entertainment may only be reimbursed up to 80 percent. So if your job requires incurring business expenses, know what will be covered and to what extent.

Mobile Phone ReimbursementDoes your new job require you to carry a mobile phone? If yes, they may also offer to pay your mobile phone bill. This can be another substantial perk, especially when you have been picking up the entire bill on your own. Some companies will only pay a certain amount or ask you to account separately for personal minutes. If you keep your personal use low and cover the costs when used for personal calls, you can usually drop your personal phone and have the most or all of the expense picked up by your new employer.